Cause of man's death prompts homicide investigation

A homicide investigation began in Albany after the autopsy report of a man found in his apartment last week came back saying he was killed by blunt force trauma.

Officials say Michael Gene Odell was in his apartment for more than a week when his neighbor reported a foul odor. Initially investigators began a suspicious death investigation, but now that officials know the cause of the 48-year-old's death they called in additional help.

"At this point we're just trying to make sure everything is in order to pursue this as a homicide case which is why we brought the Georgia bureau of investigation in, their crime scene unit in, to help us collect additional evidence," said Albany Police Department Public Relations Media Manager Phyllis Banks.

Police say they're now trying to gather as much information as possible so they can find anyone who may know information that could lead them to potential suspects.

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